Top Ministers to brief Opposition

The government will take the Opposition into confidence on the face-off with China over Doklam Plateau as well as the handling of Kashmir security situation ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament.

Top Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Sushma Swaraj will brief Opposition leaders on Friday on the situation in Kashmir and stand-off with China. An invitation has been extended to leaders for the meeting at the former's residence on Friday evening where top officials will also be present.

The meeting comes ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament beginning Monday when Opposition leaders are preparing to put the government on the mat over the Kashmir situation and the face-off with China at at Doklam Plateau in western Bhutan.

Sources said the government does not want to keep the Opposition in the dark over the issues as it does not want the functioning of Parliament is affected even for a small period.

The Opposition have upped the ante over both the issues, including the recent terror strike in Amarnath pilgrims on Monday. Opposition has criticised the government's strategy in Kashmir and has been asking to involve all stakeholders in bringing back peace in the state.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee among others have strongly criticised the Narendra Modi-led government on both counts. Gandhi had questioned why Modi had not yet spoken up on the face-off. He also accused Modi of pursuing policies that created space for terrorists in Kashmir.

However, the ruling BJP defended the government, saying the policies pursued by Congress is the reason behind the recent incidents.

Sources said the ministers will give the leaders a detailed presentation on the prevailing situation along the Sino-Indian border and Jammu and Kashmir and the government action.

On Kashmir, Singh will brief the opposition leaders about the steps taken by the government to ensure security in the state. Singh will also inform the leaders about the visit of two Union Ministers To the valley as well as the instruction given to the forces to intensify anti-militant operations following the killing of seven Amarnath pilgrims.

The Valley has been witnessing violence since July last year following the encounter killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani.

On the China issue, Swaraj will brief the leaders about the situation as well as the steps taken following the face-off started after Indian Army personnel went to Doklam Plateau, a disputed territory along Bhutan-China border, on June 18 to stop the Chinese PLA personnel from constructing a road. The road would have altered the status quo in India-Bhutan-China tri-junction boundary point.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and other senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs are likely to help External Affairs Minister brief the leaders of the opposition and other political parties.